The Reconquista: A History of Christian Expansion in Spain

The Reconquista: Christian Expansion in Spain

The Reconquista, meaning "reconquest" in Spanish, refers to the historical period in the Iberian Peninsula of approximately 781 years between the Umayyad conquest of Hispania in 711 and the fall of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada in 1492. It is traditionally held to begin with the victory of the Asturians at the Battle of Covadonga in 722.

Key Stages of the Reconquista:

• 8th-10th Centuries: Territories north of the central Ebro valley, untouched by Muslim rule, and pockets of Christian resistance emerged. These Christians occupied largely empty territories, such as the Cunca del Duero.
• 11th Century - First Half of the 12th Century: The balance of power shifted between Christians and Muslims. Christian kingdoms exploited the weakness of the Taifa kingdoms, forcing them to pay tribute in exchange for protection and significantly expanding their territories.
  • Alfonso VI (1065-1109), King of Castile and Leon, conquered the Kingdom of Toledo in 1085.
  • Muslim kings sought help from the Almoravids, who temporarily halted the Castilian advance with victories at Sagrajas (1086), Consuegra (1097), and Ucles (1108).
  • The kings of Aragon extended their rule through the Ebro valley, capturing Huesca (1096) and Zaragoza (1118).
  • By the mid-12th century, with the decline of the Almoravids, the Tagus and Ebro valleys were conquered.
• Second Half of the 12th Century: The Almohad dynasty reached its zenith. Conquests were limited to the upper courses of the Turia, Jucar, and Guadiana rivers.
  • The creation of military orders, such as Calatrava, Santiago, and Alcántara, provided permanent, autonomous armies to protect vulnerable areas.
  • Treaties between Castile and Aragon delimited territories (Treaty of Tudillen, 1151, and Treaty of Cazorla, 1179).
• 13th Century: Christian kingdoms joined forces after Almohad victories like Alarcos (1195), forming a large army led by the kings of Castile, Aragon, and Navarra, involving military orders.
  • The Almohads were defeated at Navas de Tolosa (1212), enhancing the Reconquista.
  • James I of Aragon annexed Majorca, Ibiza, and parts of the Kingdom of Valencia.
  • Ferdinand II of Castile and Leon united the kingdoms (1230) and extended territory to the Guadalquivir valley.
  • Alfonso X el Sabio conquered Andalusia (Cadiz and the Kingdom of Fog, 1262) and incorporated the Kingdom of Murcia (1266) after quashing a Muslim rebellion with the help of James I of Aragon.